Why does she do this?!?!?!?

JJ&BB1146

Every night, I put DD to bed usually between 7:30-8:00. On nights where I know she's really tired, I shoot for 7. Most of the time when I put her down, she is awake, but occasionally she goes to sleep nursing. Almost every night without fail, she wakes about 30-45 min after she goes to sleep and just screams bloody murder. There doesn't seem to be anything we can do to make it better. It is sooooo frustrating to know that she is not really "in bed" for the night. By the 3rd or 4th time I've gone in her room, I am spent. Listening to her scream is just too much. What on earth could be causing her to do this??

rssnlvr

Gas?

Chandley

ditto gas.

or maybe teething? m did this about two months ago for a week or two straight. we saw a tooth pop through, and magically she stopped doing it and sleeping thru the night again. 

Mrs.Froggianna

I believe Ferber (or maybe it was the No Cry Sleep Solution chick) said that babies go through a natural sleep cycle of very light awakening around 35-40 minutes after they initially go to sleep.  Most kiddos can put themselves back down with no problem.  But some (esp. those who are not put to EDIT bed awake) get really startled when they hit this part of their cycle.

Luke is one of those kids who doesn't always make it through that 35-40 minute cycle without fully waking or getting upset.  Most nights he does, but occasionally he'll stir and fuss.  If he's not in full on freak out mode I give him about 15 minutes.  He can usually calm himself during that time and go back to sleep.  If he can't I go up, pat, comfort, talk, etc. for a few minutes (till he's settled) and leave.  He usually goes to sleep not long after that.  But if he is freaking his freak, I go up and usually rock him.  When that happens I presume he's had a bad dream and he needs the extra comfort.  Thankfully those instances are pretty rare.

I'm not sure where you are with CIO or if you're still doing it at all, but if you are maybe try giving her the opportunity to calm herself down and go back to sleep. I feel for you!  I feel like I'm re-reading Luke's first year when I read your posts.  Good luck!

JJ&BB1146

If it was gas, what can I do about it? Give her mylicon before bed to see if that helps? I'd like to fix the problem before it starts, KWIM?